Neither Smurf Nor Wizard Could Save Summer Movie Attendance

It was the summer that North American movie attendance continued to slide, Hollywood’s reliance on overseas ticket sales intensified, the Smurfs flexed their minimuscles and a cadre of A-list stars flopped — again.

This really blows. Personally, I felt this was one of the strongest Summer's we've had in a long time as far as the quality of movies go. While there were some stinkers, on the whole, I thought it was a great Summer for movies.

So that's disheartening to think that even in a good Summer season, with several excellent movies, attendance is still slipping.

Oh big effing deal. Poor Hollywood. I feel so bad for not stuffing all their pockets with 120 million dollars each piece of crap they shove out there and try to jack up the price each year. Show me something more than a fake 3d remake and put in some effort in not a computer, and furthermore $6 is my limit for the ticket. Eat it.

I don't think this "slump" is any surprise really. The economy hasn't exactly been great the last few years and prices to go to the theater are kind of outrageous. Me and my girlfriend went Tuesday and for tickets and concession I think it cost me about $40. That's just not right.

The funny thing is, you see some of these places raising prices more to try to make up for loss of attendance. When the real problem is that it's these increases in prices that are causing the slump in attendance.

It really is telling when you look at the data: we have movies setting record sales this year in terms of revenue. But attendance is the lowest it's been in over a decade. That really says something there.

My local AMC charges $9.50 a ticket for showings outside of matinee. I don't even know how much for 3D. It wouldn't be so bad if you at least got a free drink with it, but holy damn. For the cost of a pair of tickets, you could wait for the DVD and just buy that. At least then you'd have something to show for it.

Sucks,because this has to be one of the best summers we've had.Inflated 3D prices are to blame.Though I saw almost every big movie in theaters from late April-early August,I can reason why many people preferred being home.The amount you spend to see a movie in theaters can be spend months later to buy the same movie's blu-ray/DVD.

Also the awful weather conditions across the US (especially in the midwest) should not be discounted.